Ed says ‘Yo, be there, for shizzle!’

When Ed Kuhlman pesters me about something, I try to ignore him. But when he pesters me and sets up a blog, I pay attention.

Ed has set up a fundraiser event blog for Sarah Henson. Her friends are having a ‘House Party’ for her at The Grand on Nov. 14, trying to raise enough money to make her house payments for a year while she deals with stage four glioblastoma brain cancer.

Here’s the PDF poster with the text of the email that her friends have been circulating around town:

I want to let you know about an upcoming benefit for my dear friend Sarah Henson. Sarah, a single mother of four who got her college degree at age 45 and graduated valedictorian of her nursing class, was diagnosed this past spring with stage four glioblastoma brain cancer. This is devastating news for her and her family.

If you already know Sarah, you know how very special she is. If you haven’t had the good fortune of meeting her, she is one of those very special people that makes every one she meets feel like her best friend — a loving and caring personality who truly inspires everyone she encounters. She is simply one-in-a-million.

My friends and I are hosting a fund-raising event for Sarah at The Grand Event Center in Northfield on Friday, November 14. I’d love for you to attend. The goal is to raise $18,000 — Sarah’s annual mortgage payment. It is very important to Sarah that she and her family are able to stay in their house while she focuses all her energy on battling her brain tumor.

The November 14 event — “A House Party for Sarah Henson” — will feature a silent and live auction (from 6-9 p.m.), followed by dancing and celebrating to the sounds of The Zillionaires. There’s no cover charge but donations will be accepted at the door. It will be an evening filled with food, friends, and fun — all in support of a great cause. More information about Sarah and the event can be found at www.sarahhenson.wordpress.com or by visiting www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarahhenson. (If you’re able to donate goods or services to be auctioned off, you’ll find information about that, too.)

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to make a donation, a fund has been set up in her name. Please make checks out to:

10 thoughts on “Ed says ‘Yo, be there, for shizzle!’”

It has been my distinct pleasure to help with the planning for this special event. Please don’t forget that its success depends on the participation of many — and you need NOT know Sarah in order to attend! But, trust me, if you DID know Sarah, there is NOTHING that could keep you away! She is an extraordinary person who brings out the best in everyone she knows! And this is our opportunity to show her exactly how we feel about her! I hope to see you at the Grand on Friday night!

Just two days until this wonderful event. I hope many of you can attend. There will be food, music by the Zillionaires, a silent auction and a live auction conducted by Northfield’s finest auctioneer (might I be biased?). The Northfield community has responded with some wonderful donations for the auctions. Like Bonnie Jean said, you don’t have to know Sarah to come. There is no charge to get in, so you can use your cash for the auction items or to make a donation to the Sarah Henson fund. There will be music and dancing after the auction ends. I see there is a new posting on Sarah’s Caring Bridge site today, for more info. I expect Ed will continuing posting on the sarahhenson.wordpress.com website as well. He said that donations were coming in so fast he can hardly keep up with them. Now all we need is people at the Grand, Friday, November 14, starting at 6:00 PM.

Thanks Barb and Bonnie Jean (and Griff, of course) for helping to spread the word about Friday night’s event! We are very much looking forward to Friday night — even if you don’t know Sarah personally, the event promises to be fun for all and the public is invited to attend. It’s a great cause for a truly remarkable woman. If you can’t attend Friday night’s “House Party” but would like to make a donation, please send checks to: Sarah Henson Benefit Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, 700 Water Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Also, we’re working out the logistics so that if you can’t be there in person, but would still like to be able to bid on the amazing array of fun and beautiful donations we’re receiving, you can do so via our online bidding option. For more information, visit http://www.sarahhenson.wordpress.com. Yo! Be there! Fo’ shizzle dizzle.

Oh! And take the time to comb through your sofa cushions and sock drawers for any “spare change” that might be lying around — we’ll have glass jars on the tables for folks to drop in their nickels, dimes, and quarters — and great way for the youngsters to make a donation, too! Perhaps worth breaking open some piggy banks???

Up for auction: private showing of the Jesse James Bank Raid reenactment (horses, guns and all). This is the first private showing offered (and maybe the last). Imagine this at your party or company picnic !

What a wonderful outpouring of support for the community. Thank you all! I do need to clarify a few points:
1) Bright — the goal of this particular fundraiser is to focus on paying Sarah’s mortage; hence “A House Party for Sarah Henson.” The family does and will have additional expenses but we will address those at a future date. The family doesn’t really need “stuff” right now — they need income, as Sarah is no longer able to work.

2) Speaking of the amazing outpouring of support from businesses and individuals, we can no longer accept any more donations for the silent/live auction for this event. What a wonderful dilemma, to actually have TOO MUCH STUFF! We are fortunate indeed. But we’ve had to officially stop accepting donations, other than cash. Again, I want to reiterate that we plan to hold another fundraising event after the holidays, and would be honored and pleased to accept donations at that time. Again, thank you to everyone for their support. But logistically, we just can’t accomodate any more now (how wonderful, huh?!?).

3)As one of the many members of the concentrated “behind the scenes” effort taking place, I must also correct David Henson — we will NOT be auctioning off anything related to the Bank Raid reenactment. A truly wonderful idea and a wonderful donation. This donation was not brought to the attention of anyone on the planning committee nor Sarah’s family (and there are many of us) and alas, we can no longer accept ANY more donations, as fabulous as they may be. David, I would be thrilled if you would be willing to make the same donation to the event we will hold after the holidays. But we will not be auctioning off this item at this time. Thank you for your consideration.

4) For a complete listing of all auction items, visit http://sarahhenson.wordpress.com . The Northfield News will also be posting a comprehensive list of donations. But even if you don’t want to participate in a silent or live auction, please come to the event. It will be a wonderful celebration for all!

5) Last but certainly not least, if you would like to make a direct monetary donation to Sarah and her family, please do so at:

Jessica – small correction : all of my kids, Sam, Max Abe, Zoe and also Sarah knew about the Bank Raid reenactment. Clearly, in hind sight, I should have made sure the communication was flowing through to you. The benefit now has in hand and I am certain such creative folks will put to good use.

Yo Yo
Back in town in time for the fundraiser! Great job on pulling this together everyone. Just wanted to add that there will be a chance to write a personal wish to Sarah as you enter The Grand this evening. Choose a stone that says dream, hope, love, hugs, courage, strength, then sign your name on the back. We will give these all to Sarah in a beautiful dish so she can have your good thoughts with her when she needs encouragement. See you tonight!